Pyrrosia lingua (Tongue Fern) - The 12 to 18 inch tall epiphytic (growing on trees) or lithophytic (growing on rocks) plant with 18 inch long and 2 inch wide thick, olive green blades-like fronds rise singly from the slender surface creeping rhizomes. The fronds have a gently undulating margin and a slight twist to the entire blade, exposing for view the undersides that are covered in many small (1mm) round sori with accompanying stellate hairs and scales that make for an interesting felty cinnamon to tan colored surface. Plant in morning, late afternoon sun or bright shade and water occasionally to regularly. Cold hardy to 0 degrees (or less) and useful down to USDA Zone 6. The leaves have been compared to having a texture and look or a cow's tongue and the twisting and undulations of the blades provide a great contrast between the green upper and reddish tan undersides. Great in containers or planted in the ground as an interesting and attractive evergreen solid groundcover. It is at its does best in a very well-drained soil or steep slope (rhizomes can stick to a vertical surface) in bright indirect light and fertilized throughout the warm months with a fertilizer like fish emulsion. Avoid overwatering and use a well-drained orchid bark amended soil in containers. This fern is native to Japan, China, Taiwan, India, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam, where it grown on moderately dry rocks or on trees at low to mid elevations (300 to 6,200 feet) in mountainous area. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'pyrros' meaning "flame-colored" or "red" in reference to the reddish tint of the stellate hairs of some Pyrrosia species, namely the type plant Pyrrosia chinensis (P. stigmosa). The specific epithet fittingly means tongue-like. We have steadily been building stock on this plant from plants given to up by John Bleck from plants growing very well in his Goleta, California garden.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Pyrrosia lingua.